How do you start planning a trip?

Maybe it’s based on a feeling, a recommendation from friends, a photo, a video, or a report. Ultimately, we often don’t know where the idea for a destination, sightseeing opportunity, or way of traveling came from. We are bombarded with so many impressions daily that it’s difficult to identify what triggered a travel decision. However, you can influence this and commit to sustainability from the beginning.

Find inspiration in places where sustainability is a priority

Surround yourself with information and impressions from social media, travel reports, and blogs that reflect your values and desire for sustainable travel. With so many creators, blogs, and sources of information, it’s easy to find a sustainability-conscious travel community.

If you’re still looking for inspiration, be sure to browse our blog 😀 Rest assured that all of the featured partners and accommodations are genuinely committed to sustainability.

Who’s coming with?

The first step in travel planning is asking: Who will be traveling with you? Is it a solo trip just for you? Or will it be a family vacation with children? Would you like to bring your dog, or is it supposed to be a romantic getaway with your partner?

• Out of the box:You might not always want to travel the traditional way with your family or partner. So, how about taking a trip with your siblings or going on a multigenerational vacation with your grandparents?

Which trip is right for me? Take the test.

City break, culture, wellness… Are you longing for relaxation or adventure? Not quite sure yet? Or do you have so many ideas and destinations that you can’t decide on just one? If so, take our self-test to find out which vacation suits you best (at the moment).

What is the best way to plan a sustainable trip?

We’ve answered the basic questions. Where would you like to go? Who is coming with you? What kind of trip do you have in mind? We will use this information in the next step of the planning process.

#1: Choose an environmentally friendly means of transportation

To make your trip more sustainable, first be aware that the journey usually accounts for the largest part of a trip’s ecological footprint. Therefore, choosing a destination that you can reach without flying, taking a cruise ship, or driving is a significant step. This doesn’t mean we condemn air travel in general. However, if you can reach your destination by night train or long-distance bus, it’s definitely better.

Hotels with a stop

Some of our Green PearlsⓇ accommodations are located right next to a train station. This primarily applies to city hotels, such as the Green City Hotel Vauban in Freiburg, Germany; the zero-emission Milano Scala hotel in Milan, Italy; and the unique Le Pavillon hotel in Paris, France. However, rural accommodations such as the Apipura hotel rinner in South Tyrol’s Ritten region are also easily accessible by public transportation. The historic Ritten Railway takes you directly to the “Rinner” station at the Apipura hotel rinner, and the ride is free with the “RittenCard.”

What are the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation?

1. Hiking/cycling
2. E-bike
3. Train/long-distance bus
4. Electric car
5. Car
6. Air
7. Cruise

(If you’re interested, you can read more about the comparisons between airplanes and cruise ships, and between electric cars and trains, here.)

#2: To avoid overtourism, choose the off-season and discover lesser-known cities.

Would you like to visit Las Palmas on Gran Canaria? Instead of staying at a beach resort, consider a charming boutique hotel in the island’s interior, such as the Casa León Royal Retreat. Are you keen to see Machu Picchu? Then consider visiting during the rainy season (November to March), when the fog can make the ancient Inca city appear even more magical, and when there are far fewer tourists. This allows the World Heritage Site time to recover from the crowds of tourists. Incidentally, the Green Pearls^(TM) Hotel Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo plays a role in ensuring the continued existence of this formerly endangered World Heritage Site. The hotel is committed to waste disposal, water conservation, and sustainable tourism in the local area.

#3: Book sustainable accommodations

Once you arrive at your destination, your choice of accommodations is key to whether your trip can be considered environmentally friendly. Who better to recommend accommodations than Green PearlsⓇ? On each accommodation’s page under “Green Initiatives,” you will find a transparent list of the areas in which they are committed to sustainability. After all, sustainability has many facets. Some Green Pearls® partners are more socially engaged, some are involved in renewable energies, and some promote a vegan lifestyle.

How to make a sustainable booking

Figures from 2023 show that less than 30% of accommodations are booked directly, while over 70% are booked through third-party providers. It’s no secret that booking platforms (OTAs) take a commission. This commission ranges from 15% to 30% of the room price.

It’s fairer and more sustainable to book directly with the accommodation provider. This way, they receive 100% of the room price, and you can support their environmental protection and social engagement efforts. At Green Pearls®, which features small, independently owned accommodations presented by dedicated hosts, you will be redirected directly (and commission-free) to the accommodation’s website when you make a booking.

Is your travel planning complete? Now it’s time to look forward to your trip and prepare for your journey!

Studies show that the positive effects of increased subjective well-being and higher life satisfaction occur even before the vacation begins. In other words, looking forward to a planned trip can make you happy! So enjoy and nurture that feeling. 😉

Here’s how you can build up your anticipation:

• Read books set in your vacation destination. This doesn’t have to be travel guides; it can be novels, crime stories, urban fantasy, and so on. Browse your local library for inspiration!
• Find more inspiration online on sites like Pinterest or YouTube.
• Learn about your destination’s culture, history, and cuisine. Travel guides are useful for this. Consider whether you need a paper copy or if a digital version will suffice. Be honest: How often have you actually picked up a travel guide from a previous trip?
• Learn a few words and phrases in the local language.
• Before your vacation, free yourself from things that are weighing you down. These could be unresolved arguments with relatives, unpaid debts, or a messy apartment. They could also be a messy apartment or glass bottles that should have been taken to the recycling center a long time ago. Take care of these things now so you can start your vacation feeling relaxed!

Preparation: Pack your suitcase sustainably

Sustainable packing means:

• Packing light
• Conserving resources
• Avoiding harmful substances and plastic.

The lighter your luggage, the less effort it takes to transport it, and the less fuel, electricity, and energy you use. For this reason, many travelers create a capsule wardrobe. This means you have only a few items of clothing that can all be combined with each other.

The best way to conserve resources is to avoid buying everything new. For example, would you like to try stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, or snowshoeing on your vacation? You can easily rent all of these items locally. Many hotels also rent equipment such as hiking backpacks and yoga mats. Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, for example, is a certified hiking hotel that offers free equipment rentals for hiking tours in the nearby Hohe Tauern National Park.

Consider packing your own water bottle, lunch box, and jute shopping bag to reduce waste while traveling. Other zero-waste items include solid shampoo bars, miswak toothbrushes, and reusable cotton pads. Also, buy sunscreen from a certified natural cosmetics manufacturer and make sure it is coral-safe (some countries require this!).

• Here are some more tips for ultralight travel.

And off it goes: leaving the apartment

Before leaving for vacation, make sure you use or give away any perishable food so that it doesn’t go to waste. The refrigerator can be turned off or set a few degrees warmer. Some modern refrigerators have a vacation mode that reduces cooling since the door is not constantly being opened, thus consuming less energy. Unplug all other electrical appliances, and ensure that nothing is left on standby. Water your plants, turn off the water where necessary, and don’t forget about the heating.

• Out of the Box:Could you do someone a favor and let them stay in your apartment for a while? Does anyone you know need a place to sleep, or a quiet place to study or work? Do you live somewhere that others would like to vacation? If you’re going to be away for a while, having someone stay in your apartment will also give you someone to take care of your plants and pets. However, this requires an extra step in your planning. 😉

The best way to start a sustainable vacation is with sustainable travel planning. The best part? This article is your first step! What tips do you have for planning a sustainable vacation? Share them in the comments!

Der Beitrag Sustainable travel planning: From Idea to Implementation erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

In the beginning: “We are a package deal”

When a relationship is new, couples often do everything together while on vacation. Many think that’s the way it has to be. Or they’re so in love that it doesn’t even occur to them to do anything separately.

The romantic hotel Das Rübezahl in Füssen in the Allgäu can confirm this. “We specialize in couples,” the host family tells us, adding: “As a rule, all couples do everything together.” On our last visit, we learned that a marriage proposal happens almost every week! It’s no wonder that most of the couples there are practically inseparable.

Traveling with different preferences

This changes over time. At least for some couples I know (and I have been married for 16 years now). You get to know each other better, accept different preferences and views, trust each other more, and maybe are just a little bit more honest. You may have started out watching the Olympics together, but four years later you admit that you’re not really interested in that and would rather do something else. It can be the same with vacations. The important thing is that you don’t see it as a problem, but as an opportunity for each part of the relationship to maintain its own character.

A partnership is about giving and receiving 

In a partnership, there is time to spend together, time when one person does something just for the other, and time for oneself. Children, work, and other people come into the relationship, and successful couples come to terms and find their way. In everyday life and on vacation. (Not that I’m always that successful, but I’m just saying that in general 😉 )

These Green PearlsⓇ accommodations frequently host pairs with different interests

#1 Hotel Weihrerhof, South Tyrol – He can go hiking, she takes a sunbath on the lake

“We often have couples with different interests at the hotel,” says Klaus Pichler of Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol. The family-run boutique hotel is located 1,200 meters above sea level on the shores of Lake Wolfsgruben, amidst the mountain panorama of the Ritten.

“ The man is usually the more active and goes hiking, biking, etc. The wife enjoys the stay at the Weihrerhof with short walks along the lake, on the sunbathing lawn or in the SeaSpa with unique treatments.” – Hotel Weihrerhof

#2 My Arbor near Bressanone/Brixen in South Tyrol – Individual time management

„From wellness and outdoor adventures to sports and relaxation, we offer a wide range of options to meet a variety of needs.“ – My Arbor

 My Arbor is a luxurious adults-only hotel nestled in the treetops with fantastic views of the Dolomites. Each week there is a varied program of guided hikes (skiing in winter), spa treatments, forest bathing, etc. to choose from. To see what such a program might look like, click here.

#3 Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt – Couples have a lot to talk about in the evening

Hotel Bella Vista is “definitely ideal” for couples with different preferences, says host Fabienne Anthamatten. Her family’s hotel in car-free Zermatt has a beautiful terrace with a fantastic view of the Swiss icon, the Matterhorn. Couples sit here in the evenings (or in the cozy lobby by the fire in winter) and talk about their day. One of them has usually been on an outdoor adventure which starts right outside the front door, while the other has been relaxing in the adults-only spa or exploring Zermatt.

#4 CERVO Moutain Resort Zermatt – A resort with a lot of possibilities

Also in Zermatt is the CERVO Mountain Resort, which consists of several wooden buildings. There are three restaurants, a spa area, a gym, a climbing wall… and the Alps, glaciers and Zermatt village shops are just outside the door.

„One person can ski during the day and the other can spend a day at the spa. In the evening, you can have dinner or après-ski together.“ – CERVO Mountain Resort 

#5 Summit Lodges Pfunds, Tyrol – One goes skiing, the other goes snowshoeing

Interestingly, at the Summit Lodges Pfunds vacation houses, it is also very common for couples to plan their excursion program separately, says owner Marco Spiss. Pfunds is a quiet and traditional community in Tyrol, perfect for a nature vacation with all the freedom you need.

“ It is often the case that one partner is on the slopes (Serfaus, Ischgl, Nauders) and the other prefers snowshoeing or simply walking on the many hiking trails in the area (especially the Tschey in Pfunds)” – Marco Spiss, Summit Lodges Pfunds

But the sustainable accommodation also offers plenty of opportunities for togetherness, such as a private sauna and an open fireplace that is stocked with firewood when you arrive.

#6 Hotel Klosterbräu, Tirol – Two activity guides to choose from

If you prefer to stay in a hotel in Tyrol, the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld is a good choice in the region.

“[Holidays with different interests] are definitely possible with us, as our two activity guides Clemens and Thomas plan on different levels. This means that if the woman (or man) wants to climb a via ferrata and the man (or woman) prefers a morning walk, there is something for everyone.” – Hotel Klosterbräu

The hotel is also ideal if you want to take your children with you. There is the hotel’s own petting zoo “Siggis Sauhaufen” and child care nearby. There is also a large spa area – something for everyone.

#7 Biohotel Grafenast, Tyrol – Nature vacation – also with children

The Biohotel Grafenast in Pill is another hotel where you can enjoy a great vacation together as a couple or with your children and where there are different options for everyone. It is located high above the Tyrolean Inn Valley and has a fantastic view of the valley. Some of the 23 rooms are equipped as family rooms and depending on the season there is a special program for the children.

„We are a great place to combine different interests“ – Biohotel Grafenast

#8 Naturhotel Outside, East Tyrol – Combined vacation in the Alpine National Park

Our Green Pearls® partner, the Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol, suggests several possible “combos” for you:

1. Outdoor sports and wellness (a new nature SPA with heated outdoor pool and a Deferegger healing water pool will open at the end of December 2024)
2. Hohe Tauern National Park and gourmet vacation (the hotel’s restaurant has 3 Falstaff forks)
3. Relaxation and shopping in Lienz

#9 Hotel Luise, Erlangen – Sustainable city vacation in Bavaria

For a sustainable vacation in Germany, there are also some sustainable hotels where you are in good hands as joint individual travelers. For example, the Hotel Luise in Erlangen:

“ Erlangen is ideally located for travelers with a variety of interests. You can take a city vacation or head out into nature – no matter which adventure you choose, you can relax in our spa after an exciting day.” – Hotel Luise

City vacation: The hotel is centrally located in Erlangen and Nuremberg, Fürth, Bamberg, Lauf a. d. Pegnitz are nearby and easily accessible by train.

Culture: Erlangen has a lot to offer culture lovers. The ComicSalon Erlangen takes place every two years and the Poet*innen Fest takes place every year. Nuremberg offers the Imperial Castle, the German Museum and other cultural highlights.

Nature: If you prefer to be outdoors, explore Franconian Switzerland (where you can climb, swim, hike, bike, explore caves, and more) – you can even bike right from the hotel to the Tennenloher Forest Nature Reserve. There are wild horses, goats, sand dunes, moors and more to discover.

Find out more about how to spend your time in Erlangen in our blog article: “Insider tips for a sustainable weekend in Erlangen” 

#10 Birkenhof***** Spa & Wellness, Upper Palatinate – Enjoy sustainable luxury

Looking for something more luxurious? Then there is a truly exceptional gourmet hotel for sports, wellness and culinary enthusiasts on a hill in the Opferpfälzer Seenland. The 5-star Hotel Birkenhof is committed to renewable energy and e-mobility at the highest level. Speaking of high standards: It is also home to the 2-star restaurant Obendorfers Eisvogel”.

“We are very good at catering to different interests. We have a wellness and relaxation offer and we are a hotel in the middle of nature with hiking possibilities, water skiing in the lake area, golf and cycling.” – Lukas Obendorfer, Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort

#11 Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa, Berchtesgadener Land – For couples who not only want different activities, but also different menus

At Hotel Klosterhof – Alpine Hideway & Spa, couples often order different meals, according to the host family. A popular variation is when one person is vegan and the other is not. In this case, there is an all vegetable “Kraut und Rüben” menu every evening.

There are often babymoon guests at the health hotel. Here the pregnant woman can participate in a special program while the father-to-be can do other things. In the evening you can enjoy the famous Barbarossa Mocktails together – each to your own taste.

#12 Naturresort Gerbehof, Lake Constance Region – Sporty nature vacation

Naturresort Gerbehof is the perfect place for you if you want to be surrounded by a natural, organic atmosphere. The sustainable hotel is located amidst the famous orchards of the Lake Constance region and is especially beautiful during the blossoming and apple harvest season.

“ We have opportunities for wellness, hiking, biking, sailing and surfing.” – Naturresort Gerbehof

#13 Lifestylehotel SAND – Vacation at the Baltic Sea

“ We are currently experiencing a huge increase in demand for offers for couples,” says Marion Muller, hostess of the Lifestylehotel SAND in Timmendorfer Strand. We described what such a weekend for two could look like in our blog article Baltic Sea for two.

The Adults Only Hotel offers several specials for couples. It is not necessary to do everything together with your partner. In this case, the hostess recommends the combination of the two offers “SANDromance” and “SANDstarnight”. This means ” Feel Good” for one and ” Outdoor Experience ” for the other.

#14 STURM in Mellrichstadt – Adventure and relaxation

At the sustainable Hotel STURM in Mellrichstadt in the Biosphere Reserve Rhön, most couples with different interests combine “adventure” and “relaxation”. Each partner can plan their day as they wish – one can go on an adventure tour and explore the surrounding forests, moors and caves, while the other relaxes with sauna sessions and massages.

„Perfect balance: each partner organizes the day according to his or her own wishes. End the day together with a delicious organic menu in the restaurant, followed by a drink in the lounge or in front of the fireplace.“ – STURM

Holidays for couples with different interests in Thailand, Italy, France and Nepal

#15 Keemala Villas Wonderland on Phuket – Everyone is allowed dream

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner, Keemala, on the Thai island of Phuket, has just been named “Best Resort in Thailand” and “One of the Best Hotels in the World” by the One Step 4Ward blog – after travel blogger Johnny Ward spent 18 years traveling the world.

He was there with his wife and they did everything together (yes, he just got married in 2021 – so it’s still fresh :-)). They even had their booked spa treatments moved to the same room. But you can also experience something on your own as a couple.

“Keemala caters to the needs of couples with different interests with our wellness and outdoor adventure themes.” – Keemala

Wellness: Spa treatments, yoga, wellness classes and mediation sessions

Culinary delights: Indulge in nutritious and wellness-oriented cuisine

Outdoor Adventure: Explore the rainforest and local wildlife on guided eco-tours. There are trails for all levels.

Water activities: Kayaking and Snorkeling

#16 Holidays at the Albergo Diffuso Relais del Maro in Liguria

How about the idyllic setting of a Ligurian village for your vacation? Borgomaro, in the hinterland of the coastal city of Imperia, is home to the Relais del Maro – an Albergo Diffuso spread over several houses in the village.

In the morning one person goes to the pool while the other sleeps in – later one person walks through the olive groves and tastes the famous Taggiasca olives while the other hires an e-bike from the reception to cycle along the coast. In the evening you will meet again for dinner and end your day with good food and good conversation.

#17 Couple vacation at the Green Spirit Hotels in Paris

If you are looking for an eco-friendly and personalized place to stay in Paris, we recommend Green Spirit Hotels: Le Pavillon, Hotel Malar and Hotel Amélie – all located in the lively 7th arrondissement and within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and other major attractions.

Because the Green Spirit eco-hotels are very small, you can’t do many things separately in the hotels themselves, says host Barbara Tascijevic with a laugh. But in the city of Paris, this is a matter of course!

#18 The Pavilions Himalaya – The Farm, Nepal – Safari and Yoga

Last but not least, The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm Hotel also told us that couples with different interests are very welcome. The sustainable resort in the foothills of the Himalayas runs its own organic farm, helps farmers convert to certified organic farming, and donates a full 70 percent of its income to the local Right4Children project.

There are eco-tours to explore Nepal’s stunning nature, cultural temples and festivals, and safari tours. Alternatively, one of you could lounge by the pool at the resort or practice yoga with the local yoga guru.

As you can see, there are many ways to combine different vacation desires in one place. That way, you can both get your money’s worth and still spend your vacation together. Of course, going separately is also an option, but our interests at home aren’t that far apart, at least 🙂

What are your experiences? Would you like to do something on your own on vacation? Or have you maybe already been doing it for a long time? We look forward to your comments.

Save this article for your next vacation planning!

Der Beitrag Conflict issue: Vacationing as a couple with different interests erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Huge hotel complexes might have some amenities, like a few restaurants or shops on-site. But if you’re looking for a more private and intimate atmosphere, boutique hotels with just a few rooms are a better choice. In fact, at our smallest Green Hotel partner, La Casona in Peru, with just 11 rooms, you’ll feel like you’re staying with friends in Cusco. But what does “boutique” and “small” really mean? And are small hotels always more sustainable than large ones?

Sustainable Hotels – Large vs. small

Good, small, rural hotels and bad, big, urban hotels – sounds logical, doesn’t it? But it’s not that simple. We see this very clearly in the Green PearlsⓇ network: every type of hotel – large or small, in the city or in the country – can make its own contribution to sustainability.

Are smaller hotels more sustainable than their larger counterparts?

True, smaller hotels are often more sustainable or have an easier time becoming more sustainable. Many small hotels represent the personal visions of the owners, and many green pioneers have created their own hotels. For most of them, money is not everything. They are putting their heart and soul into their project, their life’s work. It is also easier to make changes in a small hotel with fewer rooms, fewer guests, and less logistical effort.

Small hotels’ environmental advantages

• The personal spirit of the owners:  Decisions can be implemented more quickly and owners are often in close contact with guests and responsive to their needs.
• Local manufacturing: While large hotel chains tend to have international supply chains, small hotels often work with other local businesses.
• Local food: The same is true for the food. Some of the boutique hotels even have their own garden or small farm where they grow the food for the kitchen.
• Your money remains in the destination:  With international hotel chains, your money may not actually arrive at your destination (e.g. you are on vacation in Bali  and the money is collected in the USA)

Big hotel – big impact

On the other hand, when large hotels, or even an entire chain, embraces sustainable practices, it has a greater overall impact than a single small boutique hotel going green.

An example?

• When the Berlin hotel chain A&O told guests in its (then) 39 hotels in 2019 that they could voluntarily refrain from daily cleaning, it saved 75,000 liters of water, 20,000 garbage bags and 708 kWh of electricity in just two months.
• According to research by Focus Online, the Accor hotel group alone orders 100,000 plastic-wrapped disposable slippers each year for its 330 hotels in Germany. A huge amount of waste that could be significantly reduced if guests would bring their own slippers.

On the other hand, large hotels may take a long time to implement environmentally friendly measures (from soap dispensers to photovoltaic systems) due to the hierarchical structure of the company and the sheer number of rooms.

10 sustainable boutique hotels (11 to 38 rooms) – our recommendations

Definition: Boutique hotels are characterized by the fact that they are personally and individually managed and are often found in the luxury segment. The maximum number of rooms is not precisely defined, but we use >40 rooms as a benchmark.

#1 Casa León Royal Retreat, Gran Canaria, Spain (27 rooms)

If you are looking for an authentic and sustainable way to experience the popular vacation island of Gran Canaria, Casa León Royal Retreat is the place to be. The small boutique hotel with pool is surrounded by a large garden with native plants. Almost all of the 27 rooms have panoramic windows with fantastic views.

The hotel takes great pride in maintaining a neat and quiet atmosphere and offers a shuttle service several times a day to the beach, the city, or to one of the nearby golf courses.

Sustainability:

The German-speaking owner family is committed to the environment and has, for instance, leased a forest to offset the hotel’s CO2 emissions. There is also an advanced rainwater collection system, local food, and many other green initiatives.

#2 Biohotel Grafenast, Tirol, Austria (23 rooms)

It’s quaint and cozy at Biohotel Grafenast, which sits 1,300 meters above the Tyrolean Inn Valley. Some of the 23 rooms are specially designed for families, with separate children’s rooms, private terraces, and even private saunas. You can even rent a tiny house on the property.

A vacation here is perfect for experiencing nature in the Tyrolean mountains (with winter sports during the season). The Bio Boutique Hotel also offers courses in yoga and fasting, as well as activities for children. A nature spa with forest sauna and hammam offers relaxation.

Sustainability:

The Unterlechner family’s small organic hotel looks back on over 100 years of family history. The hotel has been organic since the early 1980s. For Peter and Waltraud Unterlechner, organic and sustainability are part of their lifestyle, and protecting the environment is very important to them.

#3 La Casona, Cusco, Peru (11 rooms)

La Casona is a luxurious 5-star boutique hotel located in the ancient Inca city of Cusco and an excellent base for visiting Machu Picchu and other ancient Inca sites. In 2023, the hotel was awarded the Editor’s Choice Award in the “Remarkable Returns” category by the prestigious Hideaway Report. “In this 11-room retreat, guests feel as if they are in their own private villa in Cusco,” wrote the critics. Art lovers will appreciate the restored original frescoes in the rooms of the 500-year-old building.

Sustainability:

La Casona belongs to our Green PearlsⓇ partner Inkaterra, a pioneer of sustainability in Peru. The owner family has already implemented numerous environmental initiatives, such as water conservation and biodiversity (butterflies, orchids), and is involved in social projects.

#4 Relais del Maro, Liguria, Italy (14 rooms)

The Relais del Maro is located in the picturesque village of Borgomaro, in the heart of Liguria, and is warmly run by owner Elena Scalambrin. She and her parents set up the boutique hotel as an Albergo Diffuso. Meaning that you’ll find the 14 rooms in several historic buildings (former family homes and business premises).

Sustainability:

By building the Albergo Diffuso, Elena has made a significant contribution to the preservation of the Italian village. Not only has she found new uses for vacant buildings, but she has also revitalized the last remaining businesses such as the bakery, restaurant, and hairdresser. In addition, the family and local craftsmen lovingly restored the rooms, in some cases using historic techniques.

#5 Keemala, Phuket, Thailand (38 rooms)

The 38 luxurious pool villas are nestled in the treetops of a tropical Phuket forest overlooking the ocean. Within the forest, which has been preserved as much as possible, is the resort’s own fruit, vegetable, and herb garden. A cooking class will teach you about the local plants and how to harvest and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sustainability:

The Somnam family built the resort without any major impact on the environment and it follows an exemplary zero-waste concept. The siblings Samornpun and Tanapong (known as Tarn and Note) Somnam are very close to nature and thus invite you to explore the “magical forest” barefoot during their yoga retreats.

#6 Hotel Bella Vista, Zermatt, Switzerland (21 rooms)

In car-free Zermatt, Switzerland, the Hotel Bella Vista is located just above the town center with a fantastic view of the Matterhorn. In winter it is right next to a ski slope, and in summer the hiking trails start right outside the front door. The Anthamatten family is running the hotel and offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Dogs are also welcome.

Sustainability:
Furnishings are made from local wood and natural materials. You will also get to taste local organic food. The host family is very close to nature and tries to find the most sustainable solution for all decisions.

#7 Waldhotel Fletschhorn, Saas-Fee, Switzerland (13 rooms)

Established in 1906, the Waldhotel Fletschhorn is an oasis of peace amidst the snow-capped peaks of the surrounding four-thousanders. You can have breakfast at your convenience with fresh organic ingredients (without the famous “battle at the buffet”). A fresh coffee or tea, prepared with water from the hotel’s own mountain spring, rounds your breakfast off.

All 13 rooms have a balcony or terrace. The boutique hotel is famous for its à la carte dinners, and each course comes with a wine pairing.

Sustainability:

In addition to fresh spring water and green electricity, the Waldhotel engages in projects regarding animal welfare, the environment, and social commitment. The culinary concept includes the use of regional organic products.

#8 Hôtel Le Pavillon, Paris, France (15 rooms)

Located in the central 7th district of Paris, the small Hôtel Le Pavillon is in the heart of the French capital. The most famous sights such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre are within walking distance.

The German speaking owners have decorated their small hotel in an artistic and individual way and also offer rooms shielded from electro smog. The hotel also has revitalized water and special room air filters.

PS: Hôtel Le Pavillon is a member of the Green Spirit Hotels Paris network, along with Hôtel Malar and Hôtel Amélie.

Sustainability:

The hotel was built from an existing building (a former convent) and focuses on organic products for breakfast and reducing waste. The owners and staff will be happy to give you insider tips on alternative places (e.g. vintage shops, weekly markets or a repair café) where you can experience the metropolis in a sustainable way.

#9 Strandhaus Boutique Resort & Spa, Spreewald, Germany (20 rooms)

The Strandhaus Boutique Resort & Spa has an inviting location, surrounded by the arms of the Spree River. Boat rides start right outside the door.

The hotel with only 20 rooms has a wellness area, a beach café, a restaurant (with authentic Spreewald cuisine), a library, and a beautiful garden with a green beach directly at the river.

Sustainability:

The hotel supports youth welfare, a kindergarten, and the local shooting club in Lübben. It also employs local staff. In general, the Strandhaus is a place where regionalism and the preservation of traditions are very important. Food comes from local farmers and some is growing in the hotel’s own garden.

#10 Farmhouse Smiling Gecko, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia (34 Rooms)

At the Farmhouse Smiling Gecko you can stay in bungalows on stilts (with terraces and rain showers) or in one of the rooms in the Khmer House. There are a total of 34 rooms in 17 houses – the pool with sundeck or the restaurant serve as common meeting points.

The unique feature: The Farmhouse is not just a luxury resort – it is a non-profit project! The Smiling Gecko Project supports the rural people of Cambodia to help themselves. People learn various trades in training centers, and 40 Cambodians are permanently working at the Farmhouse at an above-average salary.

Sustainability:

In addition to social sustainability, you can also experience the farm-to-table concept here. Meaning that the food comes directly from their own organic gardens and the surrounding agriculture.

Hotel categorization by number of rooms

The average hotel has about 150 rooms. As our analysis of available statistics shows, there are slightly fewer in Germany and Italy, and slightly more in Dubai.

If you search the Internet to find out how many rooms a small, large, or medium-sized hotel has, you will find a wide variety of values. So here is our own definition:

According to Green PearlsⓇ, you can divide hotels into the following categories:

< 30 rooms: small hotel

< 40 rooms: boutique hotel

40 to 100 rooms: midsize hotel

100 to 150 rooms: larger hotel

>150 rooms: large hotel

Finally, we would like to know your opinion – do you prefer to stay in large or small hotels? What size room do you think is ideal? Tell us in the comments!

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Der Beitrag Small but Exquisite: Ten unique boutique hotels with a sustainable philosophy erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Why is sleep so important for us?

Sleeping is great – and vital! Animals and humans need to sleep to survive. During this time, our mind and body recover, our pulse rate changes and our breathing rate and blood pressure drop. Healthy and good sleep is the prerequisite for being fit and efficient the next day. It also serves as a defense against pathogens, as our immune system works at full speed at night.

Sleep tourism as a new trend

For many years, in fact since the beginning of the grand hotels, hotels have stood for exceptional sleeping comfort. Hotel beds are of the highest quality and hotel bed brands such as Hästens are considered to be the best in the world.

With the increased health awareness of recent years, many hotels have promoted sleeping comfort in particular and further expanded it with sleep coaches or electrosmog shielding. In 2022, there was a much-noticed CNN article proclaiming sleep tourism as a new trend. In 2024, Booking.com determined the following in a global survey on travel trends in 2024:

• 67 percent of all travelers want to relax on vacation
• 65 percent of travelers interested in a retreat would choose a sleep retreat

Sleep and mindfulness

When you are mindful of yourself, you take sustainable action for your well-being. Mindfulness requires you to focus your awareness and attention on the present moment, without judgment. Calm down, leave everyday life behind and be open to new experiences. This also includes restful sleep.

Hästens beds – the most expensive beds in the world, but are they also sustainable?

We have been following the Swedish brand Hästens for a long time. It is known for producing the most expensive beds in the world by hand. Not only members of the Swedish royal family and stars such as rapper Drake, Angelina Jolie and Gwen Stefani sleep on these beds – Hästens beds are also available for guests in many hotels.

The price of a Hästens bed can make your head spin. A “normal” model costs around 10,000 euros and there are no upper limits. (The “Grand Vidus” model, for example, costs almost 600,000 euros)

The special feature of Hästens beds is a mattress filling made from hand-plucked horsehair. In addition, the handles and bed edges are made of high-quality leather and are handcrafted in Sweden.

Are Hästens beds sustainable?

Hästens beds can be considered sustainable for the following reasons:

1. Extremely high quality and therefore very durable
2. Only natural materials are used. However, these are not vegan.
3. According to the company, it has been committed to ecological and sustainable production since it was founded in 1852.
4. Fair working conditions in a Swedish craft and family business

Less sustainable is the hype and the fact that some of the beds are sent halfway around the world. In concrete terms, this means that if there are Hästens beds in a Scandinavian or European hotel, this can be considered sustainable; however, if you find these beds in the USA or Dubai, this has hardly anything to do with sustainability, but simply means luxury and prestige!

Another note is that Hästens beds are not vegan. In our opinion, the most interesting Hästens alternative for vegans is COCO-MAT. (You can read more about this below).

Hästens beds at CERVO Mountain Resort

“Each of the 54 rooms and suites has a handmade Hästens bed,” reports the CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt. For even more sleeping comfort, there is also the “pillow menu”. Swiss stone pine pillows, tempura pillows or millet pillows – the choice is yours. The furnishings made of natural, sustainable materials and warm colors contribute to relaxation.

Mattresses with horsehair from Plana Ladina

Not from Hästens but also filled with horsehair are the mattresses from the Italian hotel outfitter Plana Ladina. You can lie on these mattresses in the OLM Nature Escape. The circular aparthotel in South Tyrol only opened this year and sets standards in terms of both comfort and sustainability. The entire complex is powered by self-generated green electricity. “The praise from guests is great,” the owners tell us about their beds.

COCO-MAT – Vegan beds made from coconut fibers

COCO-MAT was founded in Athens in 1989 and had the idea of producing high-quality beds from 100% natural materials from the very beginning. The bed systems are made by hand using solar energy and are 96% recyclable. COCO-MAT uses coconut fibers from coconut shells as well as natural rubber or seagrass as materials. Most of the beds are completely vegan, although the company also offers some animal-based products, such as toppers made from down. Another sustainability plus is that COCO-MAT bed systems can also be combined with bed systems from other manufacturers.

COCO-MAT in sustainable hotels

Many sustainable hotels and accommodations have opted for COCO-MAT because it is not only sustainable, but also meets the comfort requirements of luxury accommodation. You can see how many hotels use this brand’s bed systems on the manufacturer’s website.

Relax on the Baltic Sea at the SAND Lifestylehotel

The SAND Lifestylehotel is located in a very quiet second row on Timmendorfer Strand. It is part of the adults-only hotel’s concept to support sustainable companies and products. You sleep on COCO-MAT mattresses and also have a pillow menu to choose from. Soundproof doors and a harmonious and consistent color concept, natural materials and lavender pillows help you drift off into your dream world.

And when you wake up in the morning, in a good mood, refreshed and well-rested, you can stay in bed for a while longer, as breakfast is available for late risers until 1 p.m. 🙂

Enjoy nature at Gut Sonnenhausen

Gut Sonnenhausen is located near Munich, surrounded by gardens that are cultivated according to the principles of permaculture. Here, too, you sleep in COCO-MAT beds and wake up with a view of the nature reserve.

Health vacation at the Océano Health Spa Hotel on Tenerife

“Healthy sleep is an important part of our health concept,” says the Océano Health Spa Hotel on the Canary Island of Tenerife. The hotel is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean and offers yoga, fitness and spa programs. When selecting the COCO-MAT beds, it was also important to them that the mattresses are metal-free.

Sleeping without electrosmog

Another trend we are seeing is hotel rooms that are shielded from electrosmog. This should also help you to sleep more relaxed and healthier. This is possible, for example, in the new natural rooms at the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol. The rooms are made entirely from natural materials and the wood comes directly from the hotel’s own forest. If you wish, you can shield yourself from 95 percent of electromagnetic radiation in the rooms. All you have to do is press a button.

At the Paris city hotel Le Pavillon, you also have the option of booking a room shielded against electrosmog. Although the hotel is located directly in the central and lively 7th district, alternative technologies have been used to ensure that there is revitalized water, specially filtered room air and the aforementioned shielding. So you’ll get a great night’s sleep even in the middle of the city.

Comfortable sleep in the Allgäu

In the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu in Balderschwang, the smallest town in Bavaria, which is holistically geared towards regeneration and renewal, you will find sustainably produced box-spring beds in all rooms. The box-spring beds are made by Dr. Frank Markmann and are made in Germany. The bed linen and pillows from Dr. Metz are also 100% ecological and particularly suitable for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.

Orthopaedic mattress systems at the nature resort

At Naturresort Gerbehof in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, it is also important to the owners that the beds are suitable for allergy sufferers. For this reason, they have switched to blankets and pillows made from synthetic fibers. However, classic feather pillows and blankets are still available in the vacation apartments.

Down comforters and lambskins at Gut Guntrams

Gut Guntrams, on the other hand, still uses natural animal products. The comforters in the futuristic garden lofts are filled with down feathers, and there are also lambskin comforters for the cold season. “We only buy down products from certified farms,” say the owners. This means: down without live plucking. The mattresses are eco cold foam mattresses.

Swiss stone pine pillows at Hotel Das Rübezahl

Thanks to its essential oils, Swiss stone pine wood is said to have a calming and sleep-promoting effect. You can find out more about this in our blog post about Swiss stone pine wood.

Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu has a Swiss stone pine spa and premium suites with a private sauna made of Swiss stone pine. You can relax here on long walks and hiking tours in the natural surroundings of the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau and in the evening you can lie down on your favorite pillow from the pillow menu. The most popular pillow among guests is – surprise – the Swiss stone pine pillow 🙂

Sleep peacefully in the Swiss stone pine suite at Naturhotel Outside

If you dream of spending the night in a room made entirely of Swiss stone pine, you can do so at the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol. The Swiss stone pine suite also has a solid Swiss stone pine bed (180 x 200 cm) with a pocket spring mattress and allergy-friendly bed linen.

The hotel is located in the Hohe Tauern National Park and is therefore also ideal for sleep tourism. The hotel itself would probably describe itself more as a hiking hotel. But when do you sleep better than after a long hike in the fresh mountain air?

Mattress recycling

Finally, we would like to address an important point about the end of a mattress’s life. Because even the best and most expensive mattress suffers from material fatigue at some point (after 15 years in the case of premium mattresses).

According to mattress manufacturer SWISSFEEL, 35 to 40 million mattresses are thrown away every year in Europe alone. To counteract this environmental impact and waste of resources, SWISSFEEL takes back its mattresses at the end of their service life and works with its partners to ensure that they are recycled as insulation material.

Our Green Pearls® partner SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA uses the washable and recyclable SWISSFEEL mattresses in its new Circular Living rooms. This hotel room concept is all about ensuring that all materials used can be returned to the cycle.

Have we whetted your appetite for the many sleep offerings in the green pearls? Then good night! And as always, we await your reports.🧏🏼‍♀️ 

This is an update of our article from March 4, 2022

Read more: SUSTAINABLE GREEN PEARLS® HOTEL FOR A VACATION WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE

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Der Beitrag Sleeping comfort in green hotels and cottages erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Walking as a trend

You may have noticed that walking has been all the rage in recent years. Instead of focusing on new means of transportation (you may remember the predictions that we will all be using hoverboards in “the future”), health-conscious people are now wearing a step counter on their wrist.

The beginning of the 10,000 steps challenge

Walk 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy, slim and live longer. That’s roughly the message of the famous 10,000 Step Challenge. It’s not really new, but it’s been reinvigorated by the sales of smartwatches and fitness trackers, and the popularity of social media “challenges” in general.

This “challenge” began in Japan in the 1960s. At the time, the country was preparing for the 1964 Olympic Games and the population was becoming more conscious of health and fitness.

Manpo-Kai was a Japanese advertising campaign

At that time, a modern pedometer worn on the waist was introduced in Japan. It was popularized by the slogan “Manpo-Kai,” which means 10,000 steps in Japanese. Manpo-Kei was the minimum number of steps that the many walking clubs of the time promoted as a daily quota. The health trend spread around the world at that time – only to be forgotten and revived in the smart age.

It doesn’t have to be 10,000 steps

Manpo-Kei has motivated a large number of studies, and the opinions of doctors and fitness coaches can be heard around the world.

The most recent study was published in December 2023. The University of Lodz in Poland analyzed data from 227,000 people. It showed:

• 2,337 steps per day reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• From 4,000 steps per day, the overall risk of death decreases
• Taking 7,000 to 13,000 steps a day reduces the risk of death (for people under 60) by 49 percent.

In this case, a lot really does help a lot.

Walking as a Slow Travel method

Bertram Weisshaar, author of “Einfach losgehen” (Just start walking), considers walking as a Slow Travel method.

“ When we walk, we move at our natural speed, and our brain keeps up with our feet. As soon as we use a vehicle – a bicycle, a car, a cable car, a bus – we are immediately much faster. Too many sensory impressions rapidly reach the brain. Our perception often becomes much more superficial. – Bertram Weisshaar to dpa

According to the author, if you take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, getting off at the sights and skipping the “unspectacular” stuff in between, you lose “something essential” about the destination compared to exploring it on foot.

CO2 emissions from walking are limited to exhalation

Another thing we want to mention is that walking is the most sustainable mode of transportation. Apart from exhaling, you don’t produce any CO2! It’s even better than biking, because bikes still have to be produced.

Our tips for destinations that offer a good walk

To use Manpo-Kai on vacation, you should choose a vacation destination that is attractive to pedestrians. A huge city full of traffic chaos like Cairo, for example, would be less suitable. It is an adventure, of course, but the distances between the sights are sometimes enormous, and some streets are difficult to cross safely as a pedestrian.

Explore Paris on foot

In Paris, on the other hand, you can easily get around on foot. Our Green PearlsⓇ partner, the Hôtel Le Pavillon, for example, is centrally located in the 7th arrondissement. From here its

• 1.5 km to the Eiffel Tower
• 2.5 km to the Champs-Élysées
• 1.8 km to the Invalides Cathedral
• 2.3 km to the Orsay Museum

Discover Milan on foot

Milan is considered the fashion capital of Italy and is also rich in culture. Located in the city center is our Green PearlsⓇ partner, Hotel Milano Scala. As a zero-emissions hotel, it is completely self-sufficient with sustainable geothermal energy. The highlight – the green roof terrace – offers views of some of the sights within walking distance:

• 400 meters (3 minutes) La Scala Opera House
• 400 meters (3 minutes) from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping center
• 4 km to Castello Sforzesco (home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Last Supper”)
• 1 km from Milan Cathedral
• 1,4 km to the luxury shopping district, Montenapoleone and Della Spiga

The most beautiful walks in Erlangen

In the Franconian university town of Erlangen, Germany, the Hotel Luise also offers a fantastic roof terrace.

            “There is a lot to discover within walking distance, as we are a city hotel with a central location” – Hotel Luise

The Erlangen Eco-Hotel owners recommend the following “destinations” for walkers:

• 5 km Erlangen Castle Garden
• 4 km Erlangen Botanical Garden
• 9 km to the old town (small shops, restaurants and cafés await you)

Tip: If you are in Erlangen around Whitsun, you can walk to the Erlanger Bergkirchweih, the most popular folk festival in the region.

6 walks in Bad Herrenalb in the Black Forest

You may know the Black Forest town of Bad Herrenalb as a health resort. Here you will find excellent air (climatic health resort) as well as healing and thermal water. One of these thermal baths is located in the Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. Many guests combine a stay with fasting and light physical activities such as yoga, forest bathing or walking.

The hotel has given us six sites within walking distance of the hotel in Bad Herrenalb:

• 1 km to the Kurpark
• 1 km to the Schweizerwiese
• 1,1 km to the Ziegelmuseum
• 1,3 km to the monastery (monastery with garden and Kneipp basin)
• 2 km to the Dobeltal Game Reserve (You can walk the enclosure with roe deer, deer, and red deer within an hour)
• 1 km to the Falkenstein Rock

A walk in nature

If cobblestones and city air are not your favorite walking environment and you prefer to enjoy the great outdoors, here are some recommendations from our partners

Located on the German side of Lake Constance, Naturresort Gerbehof is surrounded by forest and organic orchards. Many people visit during the apple blossom season (April, May) to hike and be enchanted by the sea of blossoms.

“About 20 minutes walk from us is the small chapel “Stella Maries” on the Haldenberg. From here you have a beautiful panoramic view of the lake and the Swiss mountains. – Gerbehof Nature Resort

At the Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s in the small village of Warpe there is also a wooded area where you can walk through nature. If you want to go for a long walk, there is the 16 km Warpe Sculpture Trail.

The Gut Guntrams near Vienna, Austria recommends the following destinations for walks:

• Seebenstein Castle (6.9 kilometers)
• Pitten Castle (3.9 kilometers)

A rose garden and the Schwarz River floodplain are also within walking distance.

Good to know: How long does it take you to tackle 1 km on foot?

If you’re wondering how long it takes to walk each of these distances:

The average pedestrian walks at about 4 to 5 kilometers per hour. So, you can walk one kilometer in about 12 to 15 minutes and 4 to 5 kilometers in an hour.

How long does it take to walk 1000 or 10,000 steps?

It takes about 10 minutes for 1,000 steps.

For 10,000 steps (Manpo-Kai), you are on your feet for about 1.5 to 2 hours and can cover up to 10 kilometers.

What is the difference between walking and hiking?

The German Hiking Association (an umbrella organization of about 70 hiking clubs) agreed on a definition of hiking in 2010. According to this definition, a hike lasts at least one hour. The Encyclopaedia Britannica also defines hiking as an activity in nature.

So if you walk in the city, it is not hiking, it is walking. And if you walk a short and easy distance in nature (<1h), that is walking, too. From the 18th century, walking for “recreation and edification” became fashionable among the European bourgeoisie, as evidenced by the literature of the time.

I walked in the forest

 So for myself,

And nothing to seek

That was my purpose.

(From “Gefunden” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1813)

Romantic walks along the Moselle

Incidentally, the travel-loving Goethe had also been to the Moselle. In November 1792, he took a boat trip through the river valley – as did the famous English painter William Turner later on. With its river, vineyards and palaces, villas, and castles, the Moselle region is one of the most romantic regions in Germany. A special hotel here is the sustainably managed Lifestyle Resort zum Kurfürsten with a large wellness area. A trip to Bernkastel-Kues is an ideal first walk. Here you will find a medieval market square and cute stores and cafés.

The town recommends several walking tours:

• Family circuit (4.2 km)
• Doctor circular trail (4.1 km through the Bernkasteler Doctor vineyard)
• Burgberg circular trail (2 km)
• Cusanus circular trail (4.1 km)

On foot in the mountains

If you are already one of the “pros” of the walking scene – now we come to the terrain of hiking – our Green PearlsⓇ partners offer wonderful accommodations in the middle of the mountains.

“ You can walk practically anywhere because we are in a mountain village,” says CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt. The sustainable resort sits at the foot of the famous Matterhorn and is surrounded by 38 four-thousanders. The fact that Zermatt is car-free is, of course, ideal for hikers. But you really need good hiking boots and physical fitness.

More than 1000 meters of altitude gain in 5 kilometers

One of the most popular destinations around Zermatt is the Gornergrat, which we also covered in this blog article about glaciers. The distance is only 4.9 kilometers – but it is an altitude gain from 1,620 meters (Zermatt) to 3,135 meters (Gornergrat)!

A walk to the castle of Neuschwanstein

From Hotel Das Rübezahl you have several options for excursions on foot. The hotel is located in Schwangau in the Allgäu and you can go for walks and mountain hikes from here.

The famous fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein is within sight of the hotel and only 3.5 kilometers away. The walk takes about 45 minutes. Other walks that don’t require hiking boots include the town of Füssen (2.5 kilometers) and its festival hall. If you are looking for more challenging hikes, there are hiking trails to numerous huts in the mountains.

Balderschwang on foot

Also in the Allgäu region is the beautiful village of Balderschwang, which you can learn more about in our blog article about villages. The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio is located here in the middle of the German mountains at an altitude of 1,044 meters. Just a few minutes walk from the hotel is a 2,000 year old yew tree that is well worth a visit. The Balderschwang Kneipp Pool is about a 15 minute walk away, where you can revitalize your arms, legs and circulation.

Further walks or shorter hikes will take you to some huts and alpine pastures (pastures where cows are kept). Some of these pastures also supply the hotel with cheese and meat.

Chalet vacation with village tours in Alpbachtal

In Austria’s Alpachtal, you can enjoy both nature and privacy in the luxurious Hygna chalets. There are various village walks in the Alpachtal:

• Alpbach walk (3 km)
• Rossmoos loop (1.5 km)
• Mühlbachweg/ themed trail “Path of Reflection” (2.1 km)
• Way of the Cross Basilica Mariathal (1.4 km)

Tip: Every first Saturday of the month from 08:30 – 12:00 there is the Brixlegg farmers’ market. Bixlegg is approx. 2.5 kilometers from the Hygna Chalets and you can find regional products from the surrounding farms for your self-catering in the chalets.

New valley trail around Matrei in East Tyrol

The Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park has informed us that there is a new valley trail around Matrei. The 15-kilometer trail features many stories about the village and takes about 4.5 hours to complete (that’s more than 20,000 steps!)

A good reason to relax in the hotel’s sauna world afterwards 🙂

In the footsteps of Sigmund Freud

In South Tyrol, on the Italian side of the Alps, our Green PearlsⓇ partner ADLER Lodge RITTEN recommended the Freud Promenade as a hiking trail. It leads from Oberbozen to Klobenstein and at every resting place you will find aphorisms by Sigmund Freud. The trail is “very easy”, i.e. without any major inclines or other difficulties, and takes about 1.5 hours.

Bee trail on the Ritten

Also located on the Ritten is the APIPURA hotel rinner run by beekeeper Paul Rinner and his family. They have created a small educational bee trail in the woods in front of the hotel, where you can learn a lot about the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). There are also many walking trails around the hotel, leading you through flowering meadows and picturesque villages. As a highlight, the hotel recommends an easy hike of approx. 5 kilometers from Oberbozen to the earth pyramids.

Experience nature in the new OLM Nature Escape

Our new partner, the OLM Nature Escape, opened at the beginning of this year in South Tyrol and is completely geared towards sustainability. The most important point here is energy self-sufficiency. Thanks to geothermal probes and solar panels, the circular facility is completely powered by its own green electricity. As the name suggests, the focus of this hideaway is on experiencing nature. For a walk, the aparthotel recommends going to Sand in Taufers. Sand in Taufers is 4.5 kilometers away and here you can visit Taufers Castle. You can also discover all kinds of chapels, churches, and bodies of water in the surrounding area. The Ahrauen nature reserve is also particularly beautiful. However, these are around 17 kilometers away.

“On my way to the beach”

Don’t you wish you could say that more often? The ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily! Located in the WWF “Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa”, this beach is unique in that it can only be reached on foot from the resort and is otherwise very difficult to access. The 6 km long sandy beach is therefore still natural and unspoiled and a wonderful place for barefoot walks.

“Only where you have walked, have you really been.” – Goethe

Even the poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe knew the benefits of walking-even though he had neither a smartwatch nor a pedometer. Now we’d like to hear your thoughts. Would you choose a vacation destination based on whether it’s a good place to walk?

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What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

UNESCO, or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a sub-organization of the United Nations (UN) and, since 1978, has maintained a list of World Heritage Sites of special universal value to humanity as a whole, to be preserved for and by humanity. This includes tangible heritage such as natural landscapes, works of art and monuments, as well as intangible heritage such as crafts and customs. Over 1154 cultural and natural heritage sites from 167 countries are currently listed, and new sites are being added all the time. But some are disappearing as well…

How to get certified as a World Heritage Site?

To be included, a site must meet certain criteria. (For example, it must be a “masterpiece of human creativity,” a “natural phenomenon of superlatives,” or an area “of outstanding natural beauty and aesthetic significance”.

Once a site has been designated as a World Heritage Site, UNESCO promotes protection measures (although the responsibility lies within the state) and monitors the condition of the World Heritage Sites.

Loss of World Heritage status

Some World Heritage Sites also lose their status. This happened in Oman in 2007 when the Arabian Oryx Wildlife Sanctuary was reduced in size.

Experience a UNESCO World Heritage Site up close – our tips for you

Of the more than 1000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, here are 10 that are definitely worth a visit. And we wouldn’t be us if we hadn’t deliberately chosen the sites with sustainable Green PearlsⓇ accommodations nearby. After all, UNESCO is all about preservation for future generations – and we, and probably you too, don’t want to undermine that by traveling in a way that’s harmful to the environment.

Things to keep in mind when you are visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

As you will learn from reading the list of individual sites, many of them are in danger of falling into disrepair, and some can only be visited under strict conditions. For example, Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper” can only be viewed by a maximum of 25 people in a guided group, and Machu Picchu has even been closed to visitors at times. So wherever you go, follow the rules, be respectful of the site, the environment and the people, and don’t leave any litter. Your footprint should be as small as possible.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy

Let’s start with Italy, one of the most culturally rich countries in Europe. After all, it was the center of the Roman Empire, and all the great painters and sculptors of the Renaissance made pilgrimages here. There are currently 59 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy (as of 2023), of which 53 are World Heritage Sites and 6 are World Natural Heritage Sites.

For culture lovers: Milan

If you are in the mood for culture, Lombardy is the region with the most UNESCO sites – there are no less than 10 World Heritage Sites to visit!

The most famous of these is located in the heart of Milan, the capital of Lombardy. The painting “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. It is located in the Renaissance church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Info: If you want to see the world-famous painting, you should book tickets in advance. A guided tour (about 45 minutes) costs about 45 euros and is only available on certain days of the week and for a maximum of 25 people. The goal is to preserve the 500-year-old masterpiece. Since dust stirred up by visitors accelerates the deterioration of the artwork, elaborate ventilation systems have also been installed to further protect the painting.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site The Last Supper

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage since: 1980
• Area: Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano
• Special feature: Painting is considered “one of the highest forms of expression in art”.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lombardy that we can recommend is the Rhaetian Railway. This environmentally friendly transportation connects Italy with Switzerland. The small station of Tirano is located in Lombardy, from where you can travel to Switzerland. A highlight of the train is its panoramic roof.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 2008
• Area: 122 kilometers of railway network with a red train
• Special feature: Winding its way up the mountains, the train is considered a rare example of a man-made structure that blends perfectly with the environment.

A carbon-neutral stay at the Hotel Milano Scala in Milan

Hotel Milano Scala is an eco-friendly option for your overnight stay in Lombardy. It is the first zero-emissions hotel in Milan and is self-sufficient thanks to geothermal energy. It’s also centrally located, right next to La Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world (even if opera isn’t your thing, be sure to plan a tour of the building). In addition, there is a great roof terrace with an herb garden.

For nature lovers: The Dolomites of South Tyrol

If you are looking for nature and relaxation during your vacation, we have another recommendation for you: in 2009, nine mountain groups in the Dolomites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for their beauty and for their geological and geomorphological importance (study of landforms 🙂 ), as anyone who has ever seen the Dolomites can vouch for.

Brief facts about the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 2009
• Area: 142,000 hectares (spread over several areas)
• Special features: The mountain range is made up of dolomite (hence the name) and the rocks form special rock formations.

Vacation in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are a snow-sure area for winter sports as well as a wonderful place for hiking and mountain biking. In addition to active vacationers, the region also attracts people in search of (inner) peace and tranquility.

Paradiso Pure.Living is located on the famous Alpe di Siusi (in winter directly on the slopes) and the first purely vegetarian-vegan hotel in the Dolomites. Here you will find regular yoga offers and changing art exhibitions.

 “Words can’t describe the beauty and the splendor of the Dolomites. You can only feel its majesty at the first sight being there.” – Paradiso Pure.Living

Active and enjoyable in the Cilento National Park

There is another unique natural landscape in the south of Italy. The Cliento National Park is a mountainous area that stretches from the Mediterranean coast (Tyrrhenian Sea) through the Vallo di Diano to the Apennines.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cliento National Park

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1998
• Area: 181 hectares
• Special features: In addition to the natural beauty of the National Park, there are charming mountain and fishing villages with colorful house facades perched on the sea cliffs.

A vacation in Cilento is suitable for all types of travelers: Whether you prefer beach vacations or active ones, cultural or hiking excursions. Even lovers of Italian cuisine will feel like they’re in heaven in this corner of southern Italy! Keyword: Neapolitan Pizza!

Brief facts about the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage of the art of the pizza maker

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 2017
• Location: Naples
• Special feature: Neapolitan pizza isn’t fast food, it’s a cultural treasure! It’s not just about craftsmanship and dough twirling, but also about the songs, stories and lifestyles that have developed around Neapolitan pizza.

Sustainable vacation rentals in the Cliento region

The A’ Crápa Mangia apartments are located directly on the coast in a renovated old country house in the heart of Cliento. Each apartment has a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the German-speaking owners take great care of their guests. For example, you can help prepare pasta in a mini cooking course (LINK) and get lots of valuable ideas for excursions. There is a lot to see in the area: There’s Pompei and Herculaneum, Paestum, the Amalfi Coast and Naples. The old town of Naples is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site historic center of Naples.

• Country: Italy
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1995
• Area: 1700 hectares.
• Special features: A wide variety of cultures and civilizations have left their mark here. From the ancient Greeks to the Romans, the Byzantines, the Normans, the Spanish and the French. Naples was even once a kingdom in its own right. As a visitor, you will wander through the narrow streets, marvel at the various squares, palaces and monuments.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

France has a total of 52 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 44 of them are World Heritage Sites, 7 are World Natural Heritage Sites and 1 is a mixture of culture and nature.

There are several World Heritage sites in and around the capital city of Paris. These include Notre Dame Cathedral (not only for its architecture, but also for its European historical significance in terms of the relationship between state and church), the Palace of Versailles, the former abbey church and current diocesan cathedral of Saint-Denis, and Hangar Y, the oldest airship hangar in the world. But did you know that the banks of the Seine are also a World Heritage Site?

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Seine Riverbank

• Country: France
• U UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1991
• Area: 365 hectares
• Special features: The historic section between the Pont de Sully and the Pont d’léna (including the Seine islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis) was important in Celtic times. The city center of Paris, built around the river, influenced urban planning worldwide and is considered a symbol of the relationship between the people and the river. There are magnificent views and many Gothic buildings to admire.

Vacation in the heart of Paris’ World Heritage Sites

There are three Green PearlsⓇ partner hotels in Paris, which together form the Green Spirit Hotels group. They are the small 2- to 3-star hotels Hotel Le Pavillon, Hotel Marlar and Hotel Amélie in the 7th arrondissement, all artistically and individually decorated. This sets the mood for exploring the art-loving French metropolis. You can also enjoy a delicious breakfast on the terrace or in the courtyard. And with local (and sometimes organic) produce. The banks of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower are within walking distance.

Vacation in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany

There are 49 World Heritage Sites and 3 World Natural Heritage Sites in Germany, making a total of 52 sites protected by UNESCO. We would like to introduce two of them here

Hansestadt Lübeck

The North German city of Lübeck was one of the most important Hanseatic cities between 1230 and 1535. If the term Hanseatic League doesn’t ring a bell, the Hanseatic League was a powerful association of merchants and held a monopoly on trade on the Baltic and North Seas and along some inland rivers during this period. Lübeck itself is well preserved to this day and a visit (preferably with a guided tour) will show you where the wealthy merchants lived and where the artisans had their huts.

Short facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lübeck Old Town

• Country: Germany
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1987
• Area: 115 hectares
• Special feature: The outstanding monument to the heritage of the Hanseatic seafaring merchants Lübeck’s Old Town has an unmistakable silhouette with its 7 towers and typical brick architecture).

Sustainable vacation at the Baltic Sea

Just a 25 minute drive from Lübeck lies the Timmendorfer Strand. Here you can relax on a beach by the Baltic Sea at any time of the year. An excellent choice for sustainable accommodation is the Lifestyle Hotel SAND. It emphasizes naturalness, which means eco-friendly materials, local organic products, and relaxation near the beach and on the hotel’s roof terrace – complete with a rooftop sauna and a wicker beach chair for sleeping under the stars.

Völklingen Ironworks Industrial Monument and Bliegau Biosphere Reserve

Saarland is Germany’s smallest state and shaped by three major rivers: the Saar, the Moselle and the Blies. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bliesgau is located in the southeast of Saarland. A biosphere reserve, as opposed to a cultural heritage site, is a model region for sustainable development with the aim of enabling people and nature to live in harmony.

The region is characterized by a hilly landscape with beech forests, meadow orchards and floodplains. The state itself has been recognized as a ” sustainable travel destination in Germany” by TourCert and is a partner of Green PearlsⓇ.

In addition to its natural beauty, Saarland is also known for its mining past and has preserved several industrial monuments. The most famous of these is the Völklingen Ironworks. It is one of the most important international monuments of the heyday of industrialization and is the only completely preserved ironworks from this period.

Brief facts about the Völklinger Hütte UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Country: Germany
• UNESCO World Heritage Site since: 1994
• Area: 7.46 hectares (the total area of the Völklingen-Saarstahl site is approximately 260 hectares)
• Special feature: Important monument of European industrial history. The Völklingen Ironworks was founded in 1873 and reached its production peak in the post-war period (1950s). The plant was shut down in 1986 and is now open to visitors daily as an industrial monument.

Vacation in Saarland

Saarland offers several sustainable accommodations and camping sites. For tips and addresses, visit the official website.

+ VERLINKUNG zum NL sobald er draußen ist

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru

Outside of Europe, we would like to introduce you to two World Heritage Sites from Peru. Peru has 13 World Heritage Sites, of which 9 are Cultural Heritage Sites and 2 are Natural Heritage Sites. 2 sites are mixed. Especially the remains of the Inca culture are world famous.

The Inca Empire

The Inca Empire was the largest empire in the early American continent and rose to power in the 13th century. They considered their capital, Cusco, the “center of the world” and built a civilization with remarkable stone buildings, bridges and roads, the ruins of which are still preserved today. The downfall of the Incas was brought about by the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cusco

• Country: Peru
• UNESCO World Heritage since: 1983
• Area: 284 hectares
• Special features: The city of Cusco represents some 3,000 years of indigenous and autonomous Andean culture. The influences of Spanish colonial rule are also clearly visible.

Sustainable accommodation in Cusco

Our Green PearlsⓇ partner, Inkaterra, is committed to preserving the cultural heritage and protecting the environment in Peru. An exclusive 5-star boutique hotel in Cusco. The Inkaterra La Casona has only 11 rooms and feels more like a luxurious private villa. The history here has been specially restored and you can even admire frescoes that are over 500 years old!

Cusco is also known as the “gateway to Machu Picchu”.

Brief facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu

• Country: Peru
• UNESCO World Heritage since: 1983
• Area: 32,500 hectares
• Special features: The well-preserved Inca city of Machu Picchu is both a cultural and natural heritage site. Located high in the clouds, the mountain city is still a source of scientific interest today.

Beware of mass tourism: Machu Picchu is so impressive and famous that many tourists want to visit it. Too many. The ruins had to be closed in September 2023 due to erosion. The site will be fully reopened in January 2024. However, you can only visit the legendary site with a guided tour, and should follow the guide’s instructions to the letter.

You can read more about this in our article on overtourism, where Machu Picchu and the challenges of its fame are explained in more detail.

Vacation at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

If you want to spend your vacation in the vicinity of this extraordinary World Heritage Site – considered by some to be one of the wonders of the modern world – we recommend another Inkaterra hotel. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel accompanies you with trained guides and is committed to clean water and waste prevention in the region. In addition, you will enjoy an authentic and luxurious 81-room hotel complex.

Vacation in a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Conclusion

Thanks to the efforts of UNESCO, many places, buildings and customs have been given more “value”. In the sense of appreciation and preservation. And – let’s face it – tourism is part of the equation! You are supposed to visit these places and increase their value with your purchasing power as a tourist. However, this should not be at the expense of nature or culture and be done in the best possible way.

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Can’t it be more sustainable? A question many of our Green PearlsⓇ partners ask themselves all the time. As a result, hotels and resorts have implemented a variety of measures to reduce electricity, water and heating costs, as well as waste and CO₂ emissions. Many of these measures can also be implemented at home! The beauty is that it often only takes one step to live greener for many years to come.

Going green – Planning and implementation

Living sustainably involves so many things… Do you sometimes feel like you are inconsistent, getting bogged down, and maybe paying too much attention to the wrong things? You’re not alone! And rest assured, it’s almost impossible to be perfect in all aspects. But from time to time, it’s worth taking a look at your own behavior and identifying where you can improve. To that end, let’s take a look at a few areas of the home to see what improvements can be made and which ones will have the biggest impact.

10 tips for a more sustainable home

#1: Power supply

Before we look at the biggest power consumers in your home, you can start by looking at the sources from which you draw electricity. One of the easiest tips: Switch to green power! Switching to a new power provider is easy – particularly since it’s part of the provider’s service to help you do so.

When making the switch, make sure it is truly green electricity, 100% renewable and not nuclear or coal-fired. You can find comparisons of green power providers in your area on the internet. You will also find the electricity tariffs there – green electricity is usually a bit more expensive, but if you implement some energy saving measures (see point 2), it shouldn’t be noticeable.

Power plant on your balcony

Many of our Green PearlsⓇ partners generate their own electricity. Some accommodations, such as the newly opened OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol, are completely energy self-sufficient. Many others generate at least a large percentage of their own power. Das Rübezahl, for example, a boutique hotel in southern Germany near Neuschwanstein Castle, has been generating about 90 percent of its electricity needs since 2021 with its own photovoltaic system and a combined heat and power plant.

If you want to be an active part of the energy transition, but don’t have the opportunity to install a full rooftop solar system or geothermal probes right now, you could consider a balcony power plant. This is particularly worthwhile if you have a south-facing balcony. A Balcony Power Plant is a small, plug-and-play solar system that allows you to generate up to 600 watts of electricity (soon to be 800 watts) without the need for permits or bureaucratic hurdles.

• The installation of a Balcony Power Plant is simple and can be done by anyone. The system can be connected to a household outlet (via the supplied inverter and cable).
• The electricity is not stored or fed into the grid. This means that it must be used directly. Therefore, it is particularly worthwhile for the operation of refrigerators and freezers.
• According to the Consumer Advice Centre, a standard 380-watt balcony system (optimally positioned) can generate 280 kWh per year. This corresponds to the annual consumption of a refrigerator and washing machine in a two-person household and saves around 56 euros in electricity costs.
• The cost of a single module is between 360 and 600 euros. This means that it will take several years to recoup the investment. So, make sure that you can position it optimally to get the most out of its output. Otherwise, it is just a nice gimmick that makes you feel good.

#2: Power consumption

You can reduce power consumption in every area of your home. This not only conserves resources, but also saves you money. Electricity is often used unnecessarily anyway due to standby functions, etc.

These are the top 10 energy wasters in the home, according to EON:

1. Old heat pumps
2. Electric stove
3. Freezer
4. Fridge
5. Lighting
6. Dryer
7. Dishwasher
8. Washing machine
9. TV
10. W-LAN

Although televisions and wireless LANs are at the bottom of the list, it’s estimated that our entertainment devices consume about one-third of all electricity! So it reallly pays to use energy efficient devices.

• When choosing a TV, check to see if it has HDR (High Definition Range). This feature makes the picture look more vivid but uses a lot of power. You can safely turn off HDR, especially when watching things like news, YouTube channels, or cooking shows!
• You can also save power by using a power strip with a red off button. This way, you can turn off all devices from standby with the push of a button.

Sleep without “electrosmog “

All electrical devices (including household appliances, telephones, etc.) emit a certain amount of radiation. It is not really “smog”, which is a very high level of pollution in the air, but is commonly referred to as “electrosmog”.

Even though radiation from household appliances is scientifically considered harmless to health, some people are concerned about the effects.

In the Green Spirit hotels in Paris, there are rooms that use an alternative technology to shield their rooms specifically against electrosmog. 

If you too want to sleep “without radiation”, simply remove your cell phone from the bedroom at night and unplug other electrical devices.

#3: Heating

In order to save on heating costs, you can install smart heating thermostats on your radiators. The Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern Alpine National Park in East Tyrol, for example, recently made the switch. By optimizing heating curves, the hotel expects to save about 25 percent of its heating energy – without sacrificing warm rooms for guests.

#4: Light

Switching to LED bulbs is another way to make your home more sustainable. Unlike other bulbs, LED bulbs do not contain mercury. They also glow at full brightness when turned on and are extremely durable. Many hotels, such as the Biohotel Bella Vista Zermatt, have long used LEDs in combination with timers and motion detectors and thus save a lot of energy. And of course, remember to always turn the lights off when you leave the room 🙂

#5 Repair, renovate and restore

Renovating or restoring old buildings and furniture saves plenty of resources and contributes to significantly lower CO2 emissions than constantly buying and building new things. Best of all, old materials tell countless stories, decades and sometimes centuries old, creating an exceptional atmosphere. One such example is the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol. The hotel was built on 500-year-old monastery walls and has been family owned for 200 years. The Seyrling family has skillfully highlighted the old walls through careful renovations.

Purchasing new furniture is often cheaper than keeping old furniture. However, you won’t get the same quality, and cheap pressed furniture can emit harmful substances like formaldehyde.

In my own experience, the cost of an upholsterer to restore an old couch is more than the price of a new one. But eventually, we were able to choose the exact fabric we wanted, the couch already fit perfectly in the corner, and he even made matching pillowcases and a throw for us. In the end, we supported local crafts and did something for sustainability.

The Gut Sonnenhausen eco-hotel near Munich is home to beautiful old, restored 18th-century farm cupboards.

Tip: For some great upcycling ideas for your home, check out this blog post on upcycling inspiration.

#6 Natural Materials

Being surrounded by furnishing made of natural materials simply makes you feel more comfortable. The local Swiss stone pine wood, for example, is said to have a calming and sleep-inducing effect, which you can learn more about in our blog post on Swiss stone pine wood.

At the Lifestylehotel SAND on the Timmendorfer Strand, you’ll sleep especially well on natural beds from Coco-Mat, which are hand-made in Greece using renewable raw materials such as cotton, algae, wool and wood.

In general, more and more hotels are starting to build entire hotel rooms from natural materials that are fully compostable or recyclable, in line with the principles of the circular economy.  The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA recently received an award for its “Circular Living” hotel room concept. It won third place in the German Tourism Award and was also one of the three finalists for the “German Corporate Sustainability Award.”

#7 Saving water

Most of us don’t want to do without the warm shower – especially in winter. Thereby we accept that we use huge quantities of water just to enjoy it on our skin one minute longer. That is why the Hotel Luise relies on the showers by Orbital Systems, which the Swedish enterprise originally developed for NASA. Meanwhile, these showers are not only to be found in the Hotel Luise, but you can also buy them for your home. Due to a special technology the water is purified in a closed loop and continually reused while you are showering. Thereby you do not only save 90 % of water and energy, but you can also take your shower with a clear conscience.

#8 Clean – without chemicals!

Many of our partner hotels, like the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu or the Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol, rely on Miro steam cleaners or micro dry steam cleaners. According to the Hotel Weihrerhof, they can also be used to clean upholstered furniture and curtains.

Advantages of micro-steam cleaning:

• Cleaning without chemical detergents
• Low water consumption
• Reduced physical demand

Steam cleaners are also available for home use. While smaller in size, they are a promising option for environmentally friendly cleaning. The list of natural cleaning products in supermarkets and drugstores is growing, making it easy for even the average consumer to do without dry cleaning. Most cleaning jobs can be done with just a few household products, such as vinegar essence, baking soda, soda, and citric acid.

#9 Zero-Waste kitchen

A large part of our daily waste is produced in the kitchen due to the packaging of pre-prepared food as well as fresh ingredients. On the weekly markets in your city you can usually buy regional and above all seasonal ingredients without plastic packaging that you can directly put into your shopping bag. There is also a lot of food that you can grow at home. Just keep in mind: where there is a will there is way. For example, the Gili Lankanfushi on the Maldives managed to create an organic garden by means of a special composting system: that way, potatoes, carrots and much more grow in a place where before there has only been sand. So, if you do not have a garden, you can be creative in your kitchen using vertical indoor wall gardens, flower boxes for your windowsill or simply a few herbs in a pot.

#10 Become a little more vegan

Now that we’ve considered zero-waste, electricity and water consumption, let’s take a look at what we eat. It is a well-known fact that animal products in particular cause a lot of climate-damaging greenhouse gases. One alternative is to opt for a vegan diet. The LA VIMEA Hotel in South Tyrol is the first purely vegan hotel in Italy – you won’t find any animal products here. Other hotels are less radical but have added vegan alternatives to their menus and breakfast buffets. How about homemade hummus for a change, or vegan chocolate brownies? Both recipes stem from Hotel Paradiso Pure.Living on the Alpe di Siusi, which caters to vegans and vegetarians.

Did we forget anything? Most certainly! Please let us know in the comments what other tips you might have for going green at home.

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Do you love Christmas markets as much as we do? They are as much a part of the Advent season as getting the Christmas decorations out of the boxes, baking grandma’s recipes, and lighting the long evenings with candles wherever possible. Sounds kitsch? Well, it is! But it can be, at least for the Advent season. Better cheesy than Christmas frenzy 😉 That’s why we’re going to show you some wonderful places where you can consciously take a break and get that real pre-Christmas feeling. Not only sustainable hotels, but also the most beautiful Christmas markets!

Paris and Advent 

Experience Advent à la Française at the sustainable hotel Le Pavillon, close to the Eiffel Tower. From here, you can reach countless Christmas markets. One of the most beautiful is the Paris Notre-Dame Christmas market on Rue du Fouarre, where you will find many stalls selling sustainable local products from French producers, artists and craftspeople. Read more in our blog about Sustainable Christmas in Paris 2023.

Christmas in Southern Italy

Okay, admittedly: Temperatures between 10 and 15°C don’t exactly conjure up the spirit of Christmas. But the winter grouches among you can listen up for a moment. There are Christmas markets in southern Italy, too. For example, in the medieval village of Castellabate in Campania (south of Naples). On the three weekends before Christmas, traditional crafts are on display and, of course, there is plenty of delicious food. In fact, village festivals are held everywhere on the days of Christmas itself, says Lucia from the historic A’ Cràpa Mangia estate in the Cilento National Park. “There is never a shortage of good food,” she says with a wink.

Traditional Christmas Markets in Germany

Advent in the Harz Mountains 

The historic towns of the Harz Mountains focus on arts and crafts, lights, and an Advent atmosphere. The Naturresort Schindelbruch in Stolberg recommends a visit to the Advent City of Quedlinburg. The romantic Quedlinburg Christmas Market takes place on the historic Market Square and Kornmarkt/Marktstraße. And on all Advent weekends, “Advent in the Courtyards” invites you to stroll through Quedlinburg’s otherwise closed historic courtyards. Christmas food and shopping included. Goslar and Werningerode are also well worth a visit in the run-up to Christmas.

Between Nature and Art in Bavaria

The STURM is located on the edge of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by an extensive nature park. The love of nature (and art) is not only evident in the sustainable hotel, but also in the recommendations for Christmas markets! Some are smaller, like the Oberstreu Advent Market, idyllically nestled in the forest, while others focus on arts and crafts, like the Bad Neustadt Christmas Market. The Christmas market in Bischofsheim is particularly beautiful and regional. There you can find products made of wool from the Rhön. Perfect for Christmas gift shopping. STURM also recommends the market in Mellrichstadt, right on the hotel’s doorstep.

Christmas market fans, take note!

There are three Christmas markets in Erlangen, where the sustainable Hotel Luise is located. There’s something for everyone. Or you can visit all three, try the hot wine/ children’s punch, and look for small, local gifts for your loved ones.

If you still haven’t had enough after the Forest Christmas Market, the Historical Christmas Market and the Old Town Christmas Market: From Erlangen, it’s only a short ride on public transportation to Nuremberg or Fürth.

Culinary Christmas Market in Füssen

The Christmas market in Füssen in the Allgäu region opens its doors and stalls between December 8 and 17. The culinary Christmas market on December 10 is a special highlight for the trainees at Hotel Das Rübezahl in Schwangau. They will be there again this year with their own stand. The special thing about it is not only that the stand is thoroughly organized and stocked by the trainees themselves. The net proceeds will be donated to social institutions in the region.

By the way, the Swiss hotel CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt, Switzerland is also represented at a Christmas market: In Zurich, you will be treated to delicious delicacies from the Ferdinand by CERVO restaurant.

Advent magic in the Black Forest

It’s hard to choose between handicrafts, small works of art and homemade delicacies… It’s not easy for us and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA to pick out the highlights at the Bad Herrenalb Advent markets. Especially since there is also a colorful and contemplative supporting program and numerous other events in the run-up to Christmas. These include the “Albleuchten” with mulled wine and guided evening walks through the festively illuminated town.

Comfortable and cozy

Another wonderful Christmas market you find at the Herrmansdorfer Landwerkstätten near Munich. Located within walking distance of the Gut Sonnenhausen, it offers arts and crafts stalls and tasty treats. Guided tours of the farm and the farm market will also be open. What we are especially excited about: A shuttle bus will run between the Grafing train station and the Christmas Market. So you can leave your car at home. Or you can stay at Gut Sonnenhausen for a few days 🙂 .

Winter magic in Seefeld, Austria

Do you know those Christmas markets where unromantic plastic tents are lined up next to each other? You won’t find that in Seefeld. Instead, the Christmas market is set up with huts modeled after traditional Tyrolean log cabins. In addition to the typical food and drink stalls, you can find arts and crafts, magical lights in the Kurpark, and a toboggan hill for the kids. The team at Hotel Klosterbräu tells us that there are also numerous events taking place all around. If you want to see the Christmas market with your own eyes and don’t want to miss out on the pure Christmas atmosphere in the hotel, the former monastery is the place to be! Keywords: candlelight, baking cookies and making things together.

Christmas in South Tyrol

This year the Rittner Christbahnl will once again travel to Klobenstein, Oberbozen and the Plattner Bienenhof in Wolfsgruben to combine the three individual markets with their small but fine selection of traditional handicrafts, local specialties and music. But even without an official Christmas market, these traditional South Tyrolean towns are always festive and welcoming.

If you like it a little more lively and colorful, it is only a stone’s throw from Ritten to the Bolzano Christmas Market, the largest Christmas market in Italy. And of course, what we especially like: The original South Tyrolean Christmas markets are all about sustainability and are therefore certified as “Green Events”. The sustainable Green Pearls® partners APIPURA hotel rinner and ADLER Lodge RITTEN offer sustainable accommodation and special Advent packages.

The oldest Christmas market in South Tyrol can be found in Bressanone/Brixen. It’s not far from Hotel My Arbor. And while you’re there: the COLORS light musical takes place in December at the Hofburg in Brixen.

You’re not overly fond of bad weather on Christmas? Check this: FARAWAY TRAVELS WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE

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Holidays in Europe without a car

Zermatt – Car-free town in the Swiss Alps

Since Zermatt is car-free anyway, it makes sense to arrive by train. The train route through the Alps is incredibly beautiful. You’ll travel through the Visp valley, past some of the highest mountains in Switzerland, including the Weisshorn, Täschhorn and Dom. From Visp and Brig stations, you’ll transfer to the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway – a modern, upgraded narrow-gauge railway – and head to Zermatt.

Tip: The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) offers door-to-door or station-to-station luggage delivery, making your trip to Zermatt even easier.

At Zermatt station, you’ll be picked up by an electric taxi from the CERVO Mountain Resort. This sustainable hotel has just won the German Design Award 2023 for its unique interior design. Hiking and biking trails start right outside the front door.

Just outside the village center (but still within walking distance) is the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt. Directly above the family-run wellness hotel is the lift to the valley station. This way you can reach the skiing and hiking area Sunnegga/Rothorn completely car-free. If you want to go to the Gornergrat or the Matterhorn Express, there is a good bus connection. Enjoy an active vacation in the Swiss mountains or relax in the Alpine SPA of Bella Vista.

Rittner Horn – The sunny plateau in South Tyrol, Italy

You can reach the train station of Bolzano in South Tyrol with a direct connection from many major train stations in Europe. From there, it’s only a five-minute walk to the Rittner Horn cable car. The ride in the panoramic cabin up to 950 meters above sea level is a great experience in itself – and it’s free with the RITTEN Card!

With the RITTEN Card, you can use all public transportation on the entire Ritten free of charge – including the cable car and the Ritten narrow-gauge railway. This historic train (also called “Rittner Bahni”) will take you to the APIPURA hotel rinner. This is a very special hotel for bee lovers, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Rinner family runs their own apiary and offers honey dinners and api-wellness, where you can breathe the air of the beehive.

Another place for a sustainable vacation on the sunny plateau is ADLER Lodge RITTEN. The main house is surrounded by luxurious wooden chalets around a natural swimming pond. There’s also a beautiful infinity pool and nearby forest and mountains. You can reach the hideaway from the Ritten train station with a shuttle organized by the hotel. Or you can walk a few minutes along a forest trail from the nearest Rittner Bahn station.

Tip: The RITTEN Card is available free of charge at our Green PearlsⓇ partners and can also be sent to you in advance. In addition to free transportation, you will enjoy free admission to almost all museums and many discounts on various leisure and sports activities in the region.

Paris – The City of Art and Culture

You can get to Paris cheaply by Flixbus – the most CO2-efficient mode of transportation, according to a study by the German Federal Environment Agency. There are also many very good train connections, including the famous Thalys.

In Paris, we recommend the Green Spirit Hotels: Hôtel Le Pavillon, Hotel Malar and Hotel Amélie. They are all located in the lively 7th arrondissement, which means you’ll find boutiques, cafés and restaurants right on your doorstep. You won’t need a car for sightseeing – or even the metro! The Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Invalides, the Seine and other sights are all within walking distance.

Matrei in East Tyrol – Vacation in the Alpine National Park

The Naturhotel Outside is located in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park in the Austrian Alps. It is important to this sustainable hotel to fully support its guests when it comes to car-free travel. On the hotel’s website you will find detailed information on how to get to the Naturhotel by train. For example, there is a direct bus from Kitzbühel station, or you can take the Hotles shuttle from Lienz station.

The best way to explore the Alpine National Park is to join one of the (guided) hiking tours that start directly from the hotel, or to ride your e-bike, which you can park and charge here for free. You will also receive a guest card for public transportation. In winter, a ski bus stops in front of the hotel to take you to the slopes and cross-country tracks.

Friuli – Gourmet trip to the Italian-Slovenian border

For lovers of good food, La Subida is the place to be! It is located in Cormons, a small town in the heart of Italy’s Collio wine region, near the Slovenian border. The property, which has a swimming pool, includes a famous Michelin-starred trattoria and an excellent osteria. As a hotel guest, you can be sure of a table every night. The accommodations are set in a mixed forest and are perfect for a couple’s vacation in nature, with large glass fronts and a freestanding bathtub. The landscape presents the Julian Alps and in the distance you can see the Dolomites. On foot or by e-bike you can visit various wineries, cheese dairies and other producers of regional delicacies of La Subida.

Korčula – Bathing on the Croatian Adriatic Sea

ECO-APARTHOTEL THE DREAMERS’ CLUB is located on the Croatian island of Korčula. Many people travel by plane to Split or Dubrovnik – but you can also reach the Croatian cities by train or Flixbus! From Split or Dubrovnik you can take a catamaran to the island – a great way to get in the mood for your vacation. On the island itself it is very easy to get around without a car. THE DREAMERS’ CLUB is happy to lend you bicycles. Buses and taxis are also available if you don’t want to stay at the resort. From your terrace you can look out over the blue Adriatic Sea and spend your days swimming, water sports and sunbathing – who needs a car now ?!

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Der Beitrag Car-free travel in Europe erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Our family vacation tips

#1 Family Adventure in the Black Forest (Germany)

“380 meters of pure adrenaline” promises the Wildline Suspension Bridge in Bad Wildbad. It is a narrow bridge 60 meters high with a view 300 meters below – down into the Enz Valley and Bad Wildbad. It is the only suspension bridge of its kind in Europe. The adventure destination is also directly connected to a fairy tale trail.

• Suitable for: Families with children aged 6 to 14
• Web link: https://wildline.de/
• Suitable accommodation:

SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, Bad Herrenalb, Germany: This sustainable hotel has a large spa area for parents and a snack garden with insects and small animals that kids will love. Especially practical: At the hotel, you’ll receive the KONUS guest card, which gives you free rides on public transportation in the Enzkreis region for the duration of your stay.

#2 Golf (Gran Canaria and Austria)

Golf is a much less “environmentally unfriendly” sport than many people think. At least if you choose a golf course that is close to nature. These are not only meadows, but also lakes, streams, planted (native) trees and flowers. You will find more biodiversity than in any football stadium. As a golf vacation destination, we recommend the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, because here the golf season has 365 days. Now in summer, the Bucklige Welt in Lower Austria is especially beautiful if you are looking for golf courses close to nature!

• Suitable for: Families who know how to play golf or want to learn. Many golf professionals have started playing golf as young as 5 years old, so you are the best judge of whether this is suitable for your children. Otherwise, we have heard from golf professionals that 14 is a good age to start.
• Suitable accommodations:

Casa León Royal Retreat, Gran Canaria: This boutique hotel is close to five golf courses and offers a shuttle service. Family weeks are offered in the summer for families with young children between June 12th and September 4th (and in winter between March 18th and March 31st).

Gut Guntrams, Schwarzau / Steinfeld (near Vienna), Austria: The “Bio-Refugium” has several exceptional accommodations, including two family apartments for 4 people. You stay in the middle of nature with a natural pond, organic farming and the forest nearby. The owners themselves have recommended golf as a natural summer activity for families and will be happy to advise you.

#3 Mountain Hiking (Austria and South Tyrol)

Hiking is considered one of the healthiest sports and is suitable for all ages. In the Alps you will find a wide variety of hiking trails, from easy and short to multi-day tours. There is something for everyone.

• Suitable for: Vacations with hiking kids, spry grandfathers, aunts from Overseas and other relatives.
• Accommodations:

Summit Lodges Pfunds, Tirol, Austria: In the center of Pfunds are two American-Canadian-style log cabins that you can book for your family summer vacation. Each has two bedrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. They host up to six people, and the Tyrolean mountains start right outside your door.

Paradiso Pure.Living, Seiser Alm, South Tyrol, Italy: The first purely vegan/vegetarian hotel in the Dolomites is located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters and has developed a special hiking guide for mountain hikers, “5 Epic Hikes around Paradiso,” which details the best tours.

#4 E-biking in Allgäu (Germany)

Do you feel like everyone else has an e-bike but you? Electric assistance is extremely practical, especially off-road and in the mountains. In many places you can rent e-bikes and explore the surroundings on extended bike tours.

• Suitable for: Families with teenagers or if you already have an e-bike with a seat for smaller children
• Suitable accommodation:

HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, Germany: Not only can you rent e-bikes at this sustainable wellness hotel in the foothills of the Alps, but you can also book a bike safety course. There’s a special bike guide, and Karl or Marc Traubel, members of the owners’ family, accompany guests on the “Hike & Bike” activity themselves. “We want to encourage our guests to do outdoor sports and enjoy nature,” says HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio.

#5 SUP in Croatia

Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is also one of those trendy sports that everyone has been doing for a few years now! Why not you too? A beautiful place for it is the island of Korčula in Croatia. In the Adriatic Sea you will find not only turquoise water, but also great rocky coasts with caves to discover.

• Suitable for: the whole family 🙂
• Suitable accommodation:

ECO-APARTMENT HOTEL THE DREAMERS’ CLUB, Korčula, Croatia: The eco-aparthotel rents out six apartments for 2 to 5 people, including a breakfast made from organic ingredients, which you can enjoy on the terrace. It’s only 50 meters to the sea, and you can rent SUPs right there. There is also a playground for small children.

#6 Boating and wild beaches in Italy

Another great destination for those who love the sea is Italy. Here are two places to stay that are right on the beach:

• Suitable for: Young parents who know that their children can happily spend hours on the sand and then enjoy some togetherness in the evening.
• Suitable accommodations:

A’ Cràpa Mangia, Salerno, Italy: There are several well-appointed apartments for 2 to 8 people. All have a terrace with sea view. In addition to boat trips, you can make various excursions in Campania from here. A highlight is the Greek archaeological site of Paestum.

ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA, Italy: If you really want to pamper yourself, you’ll find everything your heart desires at this Sicilian spa resort. In addition to direct access to the beach (a designated WWF nature reserve), there’s an indoor/outdoor pool and a large spa area. There’s also regional cuisine. A new feature is a signposted biodiversity trail through the Torre Salsa nature reserve to the beach.

#7 Discovering the jungle (Amazon, Peru)

Are you one of those who, as a family, loves to watch National Geographic and your greatest desire is to discover the jungle? Then the Peruvian dry season between May and September (i.e. winter there) is the best time to travel!

• Suitable for: Adventurer families
• Suitable accommodation:

Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, Peru: The rooms and suites are located directly in Amazon Rainforest and there is a wide range of different guided tours on which you can discover the unique flora and fauna with an expert. If you are interested in history, Inkaterra also offers accommodations at the ancient excavation sites of the Incas (Machu Picchu etc.).

#8 Sustainable Diving (Thailand and the Seychelles)

The fact that the underwater world has a delicate balance has become known worldwide thanks to the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Leh, where “The Beach” from the Hollywood movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio is located. 18 years after the movie hit the big screen, about 90 percent of the coral at Maya Bay was damaged because motorboat tourists dumped their trash there and inexperienced snorkelers touched coral.

Dive resorts, on the other hand, teach you to respect the marine environment. There are even dive schools that clean corals of marine plastic or replant coral fragments in coral nurseries.

• Suitable for: There is no age limit for snorkeling; scuba diving should begin no earlier than age eight, according to the Association of German Scuba Divers.
• Suitable accommodations:

Zeavola, Ko Phi Phi, Thailand: Located on the aforementioned dream island of Ko Phi Phi Leh, Zeavola is a designated dive hotel that offers PADI courses and rents equipment.

Cerf Island Resort, Seychelles: Cerf Island Resort is located in the middle of the aquatic reserve, Sainte Anne Marine National Park. The resort consists of 24 villas and suites where you can enjoy privacy as a family. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for free and there are daily guided diving tours – e.g. to Turtle Rock or Shark Bank.

#9 Relaxing in Germany

Just longing for relaxation and a beautiful place to enjoy nature with your family? There are plenty of corners to do that in Germany! How about the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön or the Baltic Sea?

• Suitable for: the family, with big and small (up to 6 people).
• Accommodations:

Küchenhaus STURM, Mellrichstadt, Germany: the Küchenhaus STURM includes an upper floor with 3 bedrooms (6 beds) and a basement with living area and open kitchen. Not only are you in the middle of nature here, but you’re also close to Hotel STURM, where you can use the swimming pond and spa area for free. The highlight is the 3,500-square-meter snack garden. “See, smell, collect, taste or simply relax.” is the motto here. The whole area is managed ecologically and all discovered fruits may be snacked.

Gut Nisdorf, Baltic Sea, Germany: Here there are family-friendly vacation apartments, each with two or three rooms. The children can occupy themselves in the garden or on the playground, while the parents relax in the beach chair.

#10 City trip (Milan and Paris)

City trip as a summer vacation with the family? A wonderful idea! With so much cultural input, your kids will have plenty to talk about at school after the vacations. An ecological advantage: you can reach metropolises in an environmentally friendly way by train or long-distance bus, and you can also get around locally by public transport.

• Suitable for: Families with interested children who can be taken to the museum or young parents whose baby still sleeps in a sling most of the time.
• Accommodations:

Green Spirit Hotels, 7th district, Paris, France: To discover Paris, we have a real insider tip for you: In the lively 7th district, there are three green budget hotels: Hotel Le Pavillon, Hotel Malar and Hotel Amélie. Here you are surrounded by boutiques and cafés and can reach the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Élysées and other sights within walking distance. The 2- and 3-star hotels are creative and individual – each room is different.

Hotel Milano Scala, Milan, Italy: Hotel Milano Scala was the first ever zero-emissions hotel in Milan and is a pioneer in the sustainable hotel industry. It is centrally located in the Brera district. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Castello Sforzesco, La Scala and the city’s luxury shopping streets are all just a stone’s throw away. The hotel also has a gorgeous rooftop terrace.

#11 Visit Wolves (Germany)

Wolves are predators with a sense of family. Mother and father wolves live together in a monogamous partnership throughout their lives, guiding their children. Although the wolf is not considered an endangered species globally, it was virtually extinct in Western Europe for over a hundred years. It is only in the last 70 years or so that wolves have returned. How this came about is one of the many exciting stories you can learn with your children at the Wolfcenter Dörverden.

• Suitable for: Families with elementary school children and “Twilight”-loving teenagers.
• Web link: https://www.wolfcenter.de/
• Accommodation:

Okelmann’s, Warpe, Germany: The family members running the hotel, recommended to us by the Wolfcenter. “We’re happy to help and advise our guests,” they report, “There’s super much to do!” In addition to wolves, alpacas are also on the list of exciting animals to discover here.

#12 Family vacation for train enthusiasts in South Tyrol.

Many children are fascinated by train rides. As an adult, you may have had some annoying experiences and therefore you may not be so euphoric anymore – but get infected – there are the platforms, the announcements, the rails, the compartments, the flying landscape, the tunnels… South Tyrol in the Italian Alps is one of the destinations that can be reached by train on beautiful routes.

• Suitable for: the whole family
• Where to stay:

Hotel Weihrerhof, Ritten, South Tyrol, Italy: The Weihrerhof is a family-friendly hotel located on the shores of Lake Wolfsgruben at an altitude of over 1,200 meters. In addition to a bathing lake with boats, there is also a stream and a playground where children can have a great time. And back to the train: “A nice activity for the young and the young at heart is certainly a ride on the Ritten narrow-gauge railway – free with the RittenCard and, of course, environmentally friendly!

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Der Beitrag Family Summer Vacation – 12 Sustainable Ideas erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.